One
of Baba's special features was that he always kept a sacred fire (Dhuni)
burning. The ash from this fire was called Udi and it was freely distributed
to the devotees at the time of their departure from Shirdi. What did
Baba teach or hint by this Udi? Baba taught by His Udi that all the
visible phenomena in the universe are as transient as the ash. Our
bodies composed of wood or matter of the five elements, will fall
down, after all their enjoyments are over, and be reduced to ashes.

In order to remind the devotees of the fact that their bodies will
be reduced to ashes, Baba distributed Udi to them. Baba also taught
by the Udi that the Brahman is the only Reality and the universe is
ephemeral and that no one in this world, be he a son, father or wife,
is really ours. We come here (in this world) alone and we have to
go out alone. It was found out and is even now found out, that the
Udi cured many physical and mental maladies, but Baba wanted to din
into the devotee's ears the principles of discrimination between the
Unreal and the Real.

To
his great relief he heard somebody calling out "Who is Bapugirbuva of Shirdi?"
He went to him and told him that he was the person Bapugirbuva.The peon,
professing to be sent by Nanasaheb, took him out to an excellent tanga with
a good pair of horses. In the morning they came to a brooklet.

The driver took the horses for watering and the peon asked Ramgirbuva to
partake of some eatables. After refreshments they started again and reached
Jamner at dawn. Ramgirbuva alighted to attend a call of nature on returning,
found that there was no tanga, no driver and no peon. He was dumbfounded.
Making enquiries,he learnt that the Mamlatdar was at home. At Nanasaheb's
house he announced himself and gave Nanasaheb Baba's Udi and Arati.

At this time, Mainatai's case was most serious and all were in deep anxiety
about her. Nanasaheb called out his wife and asked her to give the Udi,
mixed with water, to their daughter to drink, and sing Baba's Arati. He
thought that Baba's help was most opportune. In a few minutes came the news
that the delivery was safe and that the crisis had passed away. When Ramgirbuva
thanked Nanasaheb for the peon, tanga and the refreshments etc. the latter
was greatly surprised as he had sent none to the station, and was not aware
of any person coming from Shirdi.

Scorpion
Sting

Narayan
Motiram Jani of Nasik was a devotee of Baba. He was serving under another
devotee of Baba, by name Ramachandra Vaman Modak. Once he went to Shirdi
with his mother and saw Baba. Then Baba Himself told her that he (her
son) should serve no more, but start independent business. Some days after,
this prophecy turned true. Narayan Jani left service and started a boarding
house, 'Anandashram' which thrived well.

Once
a friend of this Narayanrao was stung by a scorpion and the pain caused
by it, was severe and unbearable. Baba's Udi (sacred ash) is most efficacious
in such cases; it is to be applied on the seat of pain, and so Narayanrao
searched for it, but found none. Then he stood before Baba's picture and
invoked Baba's aid, chanted Baba's name and taking out a pinch of the
ashes of the joss-stick burning in front of Baba's picture and thinking
it to be Baba's Udi, applied it on the seat of pain and the sting. As
soon as he took out his fingers, the pain vanished and both the person
were moved and felt delighted.

Saved
from Humiliation by

Baba's Grace and Udi

Balaji
Neweskar was a great devotee of Baba as was his son after him. Once it
happened that at Balaji's anniversary day, a certain number of guests
were invited and dinner was prepared for them. But at the dinner-time
it was found that thrice the number of people invited turned up. Mrs.
Newaskar was in a fix.

She thought that the food would not suffice for the people assembled and
that if it fell short, the honour of the family would be at stake. Her
mother-in-law comforted her by saying, "Don't be afraid, it is not ours,
but Sai's food; cover every vessel with cloth, putting some Udi in it,
and serve from the same without opening it : Sai will save us from ignominy."
She did as she was advised and it was found to their surprise and joy
that not only did the food suffice for all, but plenty of it remained
after serving. "As one feels intently, so he realizes accordingly" was
proved in this case.